Michael Bradley shows class

Hardly anybody could blame Michael Bradley if the young midfielder didn’t share all the excitement surrounding Jurgen Klinsmann, the German legend who is now coaching the U.S. national team. But less than two weeks after his father Bob was fired as national team coach, the 24-year-old Bradley displayed maturity beyond his years as he addressed the media on Tuesday evening.

There was no sense of bitterness or anger.

Bradley has been one of the U.S.’ top tormentors against CONCACAF rival Mexico during his time on the national team, but tonight’s match against El Tri was a mere subplot.

“When you’re in this business, you learn how to deal with things that don’t go your way, with things that might seem to be difficult,” Bradley said. “It’s part of it. But like I said, I’m honored to play with the national team. From the first day I came into the national team under Bruce (Arena) to the times under my dad.

“Now with Jurgen from my point of view it’s never changed. It’s an honor to be here. I’ve given everything I’ve had for the team and so that the team can be successful. I will continue to do that until one day they decide that they don’t want me anymore.”

Despite the silly claims of nepotism from some myopic portions of the U.S. fan base, Bradley is and should be a staple of the national team.

Klinsmann will surely recognize Bradley’s talent.

As for Bob Bradley? Well, Egypt’s national team has shown interest in interviewing him.

“He’s doing well,” Michael says of his dad. “He’s a strong guy.”

Equally important, young Michael is a strong guy, too.

“Like I said, in soccer and in life you learn along the way to deal with things that are difficult,” he said. “You learn to deal with things that don’t go your way or that are difficult for people close to you. This is no different. It’s part of the game. Nobody would have expected that he was going to be here 20 years. You know that going in.

“I think my dad more than anybody realized that and was always committed to working as hard as he could in doing whatever he could to help the national team while he was here. The day that they decided it was best to go in another direction, so be it.”

He’s also a proud son, and who couldn’t appreciate that?

“He was confident with the work he put into it,” Michael said of his dad. “Now on our end, it’s been good. It’s been exciting coming in. The spirit in the team, that part is always there. So right away guys come in and are excited to see each other. Obviously this time around is a lot of listening, a lot of observing on our end just to see what Jurgen wants, to see the tone that he’s going to set, see how he wants different things run. In all ways it’s been good. We’re excited for a good game tomorrow.”